Maria Deon Gregory, 54, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 11, 2021.
Maria was born March 16, 1966, in Jacksonville, Arkansas, the daughter of Patricia (Mills) and Richard Edwards, sister to Lisa Hughbanks (Dennis), mother to Blake and Wes Gregory, mother-in-law to Amy and Kara, and grandmother to Margo and Oliver Gregory. She was a loved aunt to Maggie, Jeremy, Kayla, and Jacob, and mothered so many others. She worked for OOIDA as a Truck Insurance Agent and graduated from Blue Springs High School.
Maria loved to be around family and friends and always brought a smile to the room no matter what the setting was. She enjoyed going down to the farm and walking the creeks going arrowhead hunting, fishing, and gardening. She also enjoyed visiting her sister in Colorado and exploring around the mountains and just spending time with family. Maria’s laugh and smile will be missed by all.
A celebration of life for Maria Gregory will be held during the spring for friends and family to come pay their respects.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441
Julie O’Malley
15 Jan 2021My condolences. May God bring peace to your souls and comfort to your family.
Wes Gregory
17 Jan 2021Mom… Blake and I will forever hold you in the depths of our hearts. It’s unfortunate that we won’t be able to have a big gathering in a timely manner to show you HOW MANY PEOPLE LOVED YOU (A lot.) Words on paper can’t express the thanks and appreciation that I have for you as a friend, a son and now a father of two beautiful twins. Through all the ups and downs that you endeavored, you NEVER STOPPED putting Blake and I first! A selfless spirit that cannot be replaced but only remembered and embraced by all the joy you brought to us! I’ve done a lot of reflecting on life this week… and something I took from it was that I need to put my insecurities aside and to tell the friends, family, even people who wouldn’t expect it from me, that I love them. Blake and I “love you more than all the stars and galaxies in the universe.” You will truly be missed NeNe. Your son, Tookey Took
BJ Freitag
15 Jan 2021Rest in peace Maria you will be greatly missed. You will forever remain in the hearts of the many who loved you.
DEBBIE FIELDS
15 Jan 2021I was blessed to have Maria in my life the last twenty years. I shared her with her father-in-law Richard. We spent a lot of time together at the the farm. She loved the tranquility she got there. We are truly going to miss her huge smile and the giggle that came with it. The best part was racing to see who could get in their jammies first for a night of fun and gossip. Not sure how we pick up the pieces. Blake and Wes and family we will always be here for you. Grieve but remember all of the good times. Her best phrase was, Well you know…. just saying. Love you guys, Grandpa and Debbie
Misty Herrmann Wainscott
16 Jan 2021Blake and Wes I am so very, very sorry for the loss of your Mom. My heart hurts for you. It has been a very long time since seeing her and you boys. I wish our family would have continued get togethers. Your Mom was always so bubbly and friendly. Her love for you will always be around you. Please let me know when her spring celebration of her life will be as I would like to attend. Praying for you to have peace in time. With love your cousin Misty Wainscott
Darla Wagner
18 Jan 2021Maria is one of a kind!!!! Have known her for many years but went separate ways I was so thrilled to reconnect through FB & IM’s. We had great times canoeing beautiful rivers many years ago. I have always loved your Mom, I’m so sorry for your loss Blake & Wes.
DeAnna Chambers
18 Jan 2021My heart and prayers go out to Maria’s family. She was a very special lady and will be greatly missed.
Nicki Bautista
18 Jan 2021I got the immense pleasure of knowing Maria for the last 8 years. We shared so many inside jokes with each other that people might have thought us a little crazy but now as I walk through work I feel her loss everywhere. No passing is easy to grieve but one that was completely and totally unexpected seems to dig a little deeper somehow. I pray for you, Wes & Blake, and her grandbabies, Margo & Oliver, as she talked of you guys all the time. You were her world and the mark she was proud to leave on this earth. She was genuinely sweet to everyone and just had an all around kind soul. I will think of her often and miss her everyday. I send all my love to her family.
Julie (Neal) Curtis
18 Jan 2021Prayers and condolences to Maria’s family. We met in high school choir and became fast friends. Lots of fun memories during class and outside of school. Her smile and kindness will forever be in my heart.
Mark H Reddig
18 Jan 2021I have rarely in this life met anyone who could brighten a day quite like Maria. I had the privilege of working with her for many years, and she was a welcome presence for anyone whenever they interacted with her. She will be missed by all who knew her. My deepest sympathies to her family. A bright light has left this world, but now shines from above.
Brenda Katchmarik
18 Jan 2021What a wonderful smile you had girlfriend! I loved to watch you laugh because your whole face lit up! My heart breaks for your family. You will be missed so much.
Samantha Brown
18 Jan 2021Maria – I am going to miss seeing your smiling face and constant positivity at work. You had a way of brightening anyone’s day and it will not be the same without you. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. <3
Jack Geringer
18 Jan 2021Wes, Blake and family,
I have worked with Maria for several years here at OOIDA and she will be greatly missed. I loved hearing her stories about you all and the trips she took to Colorado to see your aunt and of course the trips to the farm. She was a very special person who will be missed here at OOIDA. Thanks for sharing her with us! May her memories stay in your hearts forever. God Bless
Robin Beard
18 Jan 2021I work at OOIDA and I’m blessed to be able to call Maria my friend. She loved animals and house sat my dogs and horses at one time or another. She always greeted you with a smile. My heart goes out to her family.
Lisa Watkins
18 Jan 2021The world has lost a beautiful soul and the heavens have gained an angel…. Maria brought such joy and love to all she met. I just loved how she loves her family and how much she cares about you all…. She had nothing but wonderful comments, laughs and smiles. she told me about making favorite meals for you guys and so much more. So sorry for your loss….
Pam Carson
19 Jan 2021A piece of my heart is permanently broken.
We went through a lot together and even though our roads went in all directions through the years we had each other’s love and friendship. We were supposed to grow old together and do all our crazy dreams we talked and joked about. Now you have beaten me to the golden gates. Your spirit and laughter will always resonate with me. Blake and Wes – she is proud of you guys – proud to be your mom. May peace find you and keep you. Remember the good times, I know I will.
See you again someday girlfriend
Larry (Clauder) Bauer
26 Jan 2021Dear family and friends of Maria. I am terribly sorry for the passing of your mother, daughter, sister, grandma and aunt. Maria and I became friends back in 5th grade at Franklin Smith Elementary School which made my friendship with her my longest-lived friendship with anybody. I remember playing “Charlie’s Angels” at recess many times with Maria and a few other friends. Maria was always, Jill (Farrah Fawcett). After that we we reconnected at BS Jr. High where we had several classes together in 8th and 9th grade. There was no person who passed notes to me and me to them in class more than Maria. Also, even though I never hung out with Maria and her other friends much in high school, we often would talk on the phone for hours. I have no doubt, other than, perhaps, a family member or two of mine, there is no one I have spent more time on the phone with in my life than Maria.
After HS we lost touch until Facebook came along and then reconnected. Maria and I had a very similar political worldview and, at times, would face strong opposition for some of our comments and views made on news stories and almost without fail we each would soon see comments from the other coming to our rescue and support.
Anyway, I just want you all to know my thoughts and prayers have been and will continue to be with you all. You (we) (many people) lost a big part of their lives when Maria passed. I will never forget her healing smile and her sweet caring personality. Love to you all.
Jim & Bonnie Pabst
1 Feb 2021Hearing this put a big hole in our hearts. We grew up with Maria, her smile was contagious. Myself and Jim will truly miss her. We always spoke about reaching out and catching up, sad we never did.
We’re so sorry for your loss
God bless